Pirates run riot against Leopards

Second-placed Bucs cut the deficit to four points to first-placed Kaizer Chiefs, as Collins Mbesuma, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Daine Klate and a returning Happy Jele found the back of the net for the defending league champions.

Daine Klate played a corner kick pass to an unmarked Oupa Manyisa on the penalty spot and Leopards keeper Azwindini Maphaha pulled off a great stop on the line in the 15th minute.

It was again a fantastic save by Leopards keeper Maphaha in the 25th minute when Manyisa chested it down for Klate, who then failed to score from six yards as Maphaha saved.

Leopards had their best chance of the match they had their effort cleared off the line. Obaje rounded off Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, but his shot was cleared off the line by a back-tracking Lucky Lekgwathi in the 32nd minute.

Leopards were having the upper hand after the half hour mark, but Pirates had a chance of their own in the 43rd minute when Klate laid down the ball for Myeni, who then shot wide with his right foot from 20-yards on the right channel.

But a minute before the half ended Pirates had arguably their best chance of the half when Klate’s defence splitting pass found an unmarked Masuku, who saw Mapaha deny him from six yards out.

A minute into first half stoppage time, Leopards’ Nkambule missed a sitter from just inside the box as he shot high with Meyiwa at his mercy.

Two minutes after the restart, Pirates took the lead through Mbesuma. A mistake from the Leopards defence saw Mbesuma benefit as he was left unmarked and unleashed a thunderous left footed shot into the roof of the goal.

On the hour mark Ntshumayelo doubled the lead when a short corner taken by Pirates saw Masuku found Ntshumayelo on the edge of the box and the midfielder unleashed a rocket past Maphaha, who was expecting a cross.

A minute later Pirates made it 3-0: Segolela crossed for Klate on the far right side and the winger volleyed home.

The Buccaneers weren’t done as they made it 4-0 with in a fairy tale way. Happy Jele scored the fourth goal of the match, what a story for the player returning from a long injury layoff.

The defender got in front of the Leopards keeper on the near post and headed home.